McNeil Center Barra Sabbatical Fellowship

Philadelphia, PA - USA

Monthly Salary: Not Disclosed

Posted on: 22 days ago

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

The McNeil Center for Early American Studies will appoint a Barra Sabbatical Fellow for a nine-month term beginning 1 September 2026. This fellowship is designed for a scholar on leave from a faculty position for the academic year and at work on a book-length research project. Applications are welcome from scholars whose project focuses on any aspect of the histories and cultures of North America in the Atlantic before 1850. Candidates who have received McNeil Center funding for a closely related project are not eligible. Proposals reliant on research in Philadelphia-area archives libraries and museums are especially welcome.

This award takes the form of a cash grant of $60000 paid directly to the fellows home institution.

The fellow will enjoy private office space in the Centers facility at the University of Pennsylvania as well as full library privileges at the university. The fellow will have no teaching responsibilities. They will be expected to provide mentoring to junior scholars in the Centers community and to participate fully in the Centers academic programming.

The following items must be prepared for uploading as PDFs: a curriculum vitae; a proposal not to exceed 1500 words describing the general scope of the project and the specific work proposed during the fellowship term; and an unpublished writing sample related to the project limited to 7500 words exclusive of notes.

Two confidential letters of support should be uploaded separately by the applicants letter writers. Please ask recommenders to address the specifics of this application.

Applications must be submitted by 9 December 2025.

Questions may be directed to:
The McNeil Center for Early American Studies
University of Pennsylvania
3355 Woodland Walk
Philadelphia PA 19104-4531